Engine Size:

350 V8

Transmission Type:

Automatic

Miles:

10,082 (Unknown)

Location:

Atlanta, Georgia

There are certain cars that are just staples of the old car world: Model T roadsters, '57 Chevys, and 1936 Fords like this steel handsome 4-door sedan. Now just because it has four doors, don't go thinking this is some ho-hum car. No, this is a beautifully crafted rod that can cruise cross-country in comfort while offering a classic old-school rod look big enough for the whole family.

Basic black always works best on a vintage Ford, Model T or otherwise. The handsome 1936 models were an evolution of the '35s, with that iconic wrap-around grille highlighting the list of features. Smoothly flowing fenders that encapsulated the wheels and gently rounded bodywork make it beautiful, while a trunk on the back makes it practical. Finish quality is quite good, with four doors that close easily and good gaps all around. The black paint is deep and rich with minor signs of age and use, which are pretty much impossible to avoid on a black car that gets driven. The red grille is a traditional hot-rodding look that works well regardless of how many doors are on the car, but that and the shaved hood ornament seem to be the only notable modifications. Oh, and putting a spare tire out back gives it that old-fashioned look and adds valuable storage space in the trunk.

The tan cloth interior stays pretty faithful to its 1930s origins, with vertical pleats and matching door panels that look pretty much the way they did in 1936. The instrument panel has been replaced by a lovely aluminum piece full of fresh Auto Meter gauges that are quite similar to the original dials, and the rest of the dash is pretty stock. Woodgrain on the dash and window moldings is how they did it when the car was new and it adds a touch of elegance to the simple interior. A tilt column with a wonderful banjo-style steering wheel keeps things authentic and the AM/FM/CD stereo, sub-woofer and amplifier have been cleverly hidden in the trunk and are accessed by remote control. There's a surprising amount of legroom in back and with seatbelts all around, this is a rod that's comfortable and safe for everyone.

The 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 under the hood does a pretty good flathead impersonation, offering finned valve covers, a chrome alternator mounted up high in the V of the engine, and a bell-shaped air cleaner, all of which recall the original Ford design. However, you're going to appreciate the extra horsepower on tap thanks to a 4-barrel carburetor and an HEI ignition system that ensures it lights off quickly and easily. There's a big radiator up front that keeps it cool easily, and the white firewall is another nod to tradition that this car gets effortlessly right. A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission spins highway-friendly 2.73 gears in a 10-bolt housing, so there's nothing radical underneath, but that also means it's reliable and comfortable. A custom front suspension with A-arms, coil-overs, and rack-and-pinion steering makes it feel quite modern and disc brakes were added for safety. The exhaust is a great-sounding dual setup that hugs the frame for great ground clearance and you have to admit that it sits exactly right on those red steelies and wide whitewall radials.

Built to cruise, this is a reliable, well-sorted, easy-to-handle Ford that gets everything right. If you like your hot rods traditional with a bit of practicality on the side, this '36 is a fantastic choice. Call now!